Almost to page 100!

 This has been a wonderful project with so many people coming together to work on little creations.  Here is page 98-99 of the NV Awe: Tiny Treasures book.

Mother/Daughter LOVE - Jenny Snaza

I loved the discovery and conversation that came through working with my nine-year-old daughter on a NV Awe piece. I first created a ground, using bright neon colors. These are colors that I associate with feminist energy and that frequently pop up in my work. I gave the disk to her with little direction. She decided to draw in this beautiful family of birds migrating across the piece. She explained that the large bird was the mother leading her family to a new home. Her work reminds me of the subconscious influence that I have upon my kids- something that I often forget in the hustle of the everyday. Thank you for this gift, sweet baby.

In my current body of work, the grounds that I work with represent oppression. I choose gridded surfaces, like tile, because of the restrictive nature of the structure. They become useful stand-ins for the patriarchy, language, and gender. Breaking these structures is an act of liberation. It provides novel spaces where new identities can exist and thrive. The cracks in the grid become places for play, and I experiment with bulging forms and gratifying textures.

 

This project challenged my normal process - the ground for the artwork, a small, round, wooden disk, was given as a gift from a fellow artist. It was given with optimism, trust, and space for creative freedom. Breaking this object, this hopeful gift, changed the meaning behind the break. Gone was the catharsis that I usually experience while breaking my grounds, replaced by discomfort. I decided to push through this feeling and broke the delicate balsa wood with a sharp wince.

 

In a futile attempt to reconcile this disconnect, I decided to color both the shards of the disk and the emerging coils in a neon green – unifying them visually through color. Along they go to local artist, Grace Davis. Davis has an optimistic, expressive painting style. She works with vivid colors and layered textures. I wonder what energy she will bring to this new object.

Ms. Skinner's Kindergarten Class at Bohach Elementary

NV Awe- a concept that encompasses the imagination of Nevada. I remember being a child and laying on the soft green grass, looking up in the sky and imagining all of the characters I could see in the clouds. Giant mountains surrounded me no matter where I was in the community. They reached the skies and I remember believing they protected me always. 

I have watched my daughter grow up around the same beautiful landscape as I did.  I watch her get excited over the many species of birds that fly by the windows or make nests in the trees. I smile when she copies the rumbling sound of thunder as the spring storms roll through. I couldn’t wait to see how her classmates imagined their experience in Nevada. 

At first, we were nervous that the kindergartens wouldn’t want to share their discs. 

However, we were quickly shown that they were not only up for the collaboration but excited to share their experience together.  Nevada sunsets, bugs, weather, trees, and picnics under the sun once imagined came to life on the discs. 

Reliving the memories of once being a child, I rediscovered my love for Nevada and all the beauty it holds. From the grass, to the mountains and into the clouds—we are all left in AWE.  - Rebecca Lewis - Emsley’s mom.

Felicia T. Perez and Rose Wilson

 

First discs in May!